Amazon Opens New Store in Seattle
Amazon continues to make a splash in South Lake Union. In the heart of Amazonia, Seattle residents can now find one of Amazon’s newer ventures into physical brick and mortar stores. While it’s not the first of this kind to open, there are three other locations in New York City, Denver, and Berkeley, it is the first in Seattle. Amazon’s 4-star store is located on Westlake Avenue and spans about 4,000 square feet at the ground floor of their newly opened office space. The 4-star store comprises of items earning at least a four-star review on its site.
All the products in the store have electronic price tags which show real time pricing and reviews – including Amazon Prime pricing much like the site. Many items available in the stores are standardized throughout its stores offering a wide range of options including Amazon products, electronics, and everyday gadgets. There’s even a display for seasonal products – currently focusing on back to school items and Chromebooks. Each store has products specific to the location for example our Seattle store offers volleyballs, Legos, and a Dungeons & Dragons Rule book. The store has about 20 employees, about half of them on hand to help at any given time.
The 4-star store join in the ranks of other Amazon brick and mortar stores. Currently, they have Amazon Go, Amazon Fresh, Amazon Books, and package pickup storefronts. Since buying out Whole Foods, Amazon’s span of physical stores spans nationwide. They plan to open more of this concept store – although they are very tight lipped about locations and how many but did confirm the fifth location in Dallas.
The concept of the 4-star store actually came from feedback of its consumers at their Amazon Books stores. They requested to see more items available – not just books. Like its other stores, the 4-star store does not take cash. Customers can use their Amazon app or a QR code on their phone but does not have the “walk out and go” feature like their Amazon Go stores. They are, however, working on transitioning to accept all payments, including cash in response to previous backlash.
The 4-star store celebrates its grand opening today and will be open until 8pm.